Where to Stay in Hong Kong – A Local’s Guide to the Best Places and Accommodation

Written By: Nam Cheah

Hong Kong

Updated On:

Hong Kong is arguably one of the liveliest cities in East Asia, famed for its concrete jungle status and vibrant city life. This neighborhood guide breaks down where to stay in Hong Kong and the best hotels in Hong Kong for all budgets. 

Having grown up in Hong Kong and received many friends visiting, it’s clear that people’s perception of Hong Kong doesn’t extend beyond skyscrapers and sidewalks. Whether you are a first-time visitor or looking for something different this comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need to find the best places to stay and make the most of your Hong Kong vacation.

Popular as a layover destination, most people only spend 3 nights in Hong Kong but there are so much more to do and see. I often get asked about how many days you need in Hong Kong in, and my answer always shocks people: at least a week.

Where to Stay Hong Kong

There are so many faces to Hong Kong. Did you know that Hong Kong has hiking trails, cycling paths, and monkeys? Or birds market and flowers market?

There are no other cities that I know where you can go to the beach, go hiking nature, and be back in the city for dinner. There is no place like Hong kong.

Whether you are indeed just looking for a city escape or want to dive deeper into the essence of Hong Kong, here are the top 5 areas to stay in and what to do.

Quick Tips Best Places to Stay in Hong Kong

  • Best Place in Hong Kong for Nightlife: Central – the business and nightlife center of Hong Kong complete with history from the British colonial era
  • Best Place in Hong Kong for Shopping: Causeway Bay is a modern shopping and restaurants galore
  • Best Area to Stay in Hong Kong for First Timers: Tsim Sha Tsui – the southernmost point of Kowloon with a view of Victoria Harbour and nearby museums
  • Where to Stay in Hong Kong for food: Mong Kok – a great base for visiting markets and sampling street food
  • Best Place to stay in Hong Kong with family: Shatin – gateway to nature close to the Shing Mun River and amazing hikes for the family to enjoy the great outdoors.

Get this Airport Express Transfer from Hong Kong International Airport to take the hassle out of your airport transfer and hop on the high-speed airport express train to downtown for only $12.

Hong Kong Neighborhoods

where to stay in Hong Kong city scape

Hong Kong can be divided into three main sectors: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories. It can be further broken down into 18 districts, mostly for administrative and political purposes.

1. Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong Island is where the majority of tourists end up spending most of their time. The northern part is the center of Hong Kong’s activities and business. I picked Central and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island as they are the two most vibrant and popular areas.

2. Kowloon – Kowloon is the peninsula that is across Victoria Harbor from Hong Kong Island. I chose Tsim San Stui and Mong Kok from Kowloon, which has a more local influence than Hong Kong Island.

3. New Territories – New Territories encompass the rest of Hong Kong with the largest area, including the outlying islands. Shatin is chosen as the main hub of New Territories and a good place to make a base.

1. Central – Best Place in Hong Kong for Nightlife

hong kong neighborhoods central

The best place to stay in Hong Kong if you want to be at the center of the action is in Central.  Central is not only part of Hong Kong’s bustling business district but also the heart of its nightlife.

Used to be called Victoria City, it was where the British administration set up base in the 19th century and many colonial buildings can still be seen right by Victoria Harbor.

It’s the best place to stay if you are a first-time visitor to Hong Kong. From here, the Peak is only a tram ride away or you can visit the brand new Tai Kwun, a former police headquarter turn heritage and art museum.

Many British colonial historic sites such as Duddell Staircase and Pottinger Street are also within walking distance. To explore the area further, ride your way up the entire Mid-Level Escalator to see SoHo and its street art.

Suggested Hotels Near Central

  • Mandarin Oriental Hotel – With a stunning view of the Victoria Harbour, conveniently connected to the Landmark Mall and the Central MTR station via a series of indoor walkways.
  • Pottinger Hotel -Stay by the historic Pottinger Street that’s a street west of the Mid-Level Escalator. This Hong Kong hotel is close to restaurants, transportation, and ferries.
  • Sleeep Capsule Hotel – Located between Central and Sheung Wan, Sleeep (no it’s not a typo) is a great budget capsule hotel choice. Free Wifi but it is a very basic hotel.
  • Check out Availability & Prices – Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Things to see near Central

where to stay in hong Kong SOHO

The Peak – for the iconic view of Hong Kong, go up to the Peak and peer down at the Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula. Get your Skip the Line Victoria Peak to avoid waiting in line with VIP tickets to Hong Kong’s busiest attraction. Includes Sky Terrace entry.

SoHo – explore the winding streets ‘south of Hollywood Road’ with street art and quirky restaurants. Take a Guided Dim Sum Lunch for an easy introduction to dim sum.

Even Harbor Junk Boat Cruise  – Hong Kong Harbor was once littered with Junk Boats. Enjoy a glass of wine on this classic boat as you take in Hong Kong’s Magnificent skyline.

Mid-Level Escalator – built in the 90s, the Mid-Level Escalator was originally meant as a way for commuters to go from Central to Mid-Levels, the residential area. Nowadays, it’s a fun covered escalator ride for tourists to explore SoHo.

Tai Kwun – the former Victoria Prison and Central Police headquarters, Tai Kwun is the recently opened art and heritage museum where you can learn about the past and admire Hong Kong’s modern art

Hong Kong Park – covering 80 000m2 of ground, Hong Kong Park is a refuge from the skyscrapers and a great photo spot. There’s also an aviary and wedding registry.

Lan Kwai Fong – the nightlife hotspot in Hong Kong, there are a plethora of clubs and bars to choose from no matter your preference. 

Man Mo Temple – Popular tourist attraction located on Hollywood Road.

Getting There

For the Peak, take the tram or MTR to Wanchai and get the Peak Tram or take a bus. Everything else is walkable around Central. From Central, you can get on the MTR to go everywhere in Hong Kong or explore the north of Hong Kong with the oldest double-decker tram system.

2. Causeway Bay – Where to Stay in Hong Kong for Shopping

where to stay in hong kong neighborhoods

The fashion capital of Hong Kong, Causeway Bay is the modern hub that’s infused with old Tong Lau and traditions. Outranking New York’s Fifth Avenue in terms of expensive shopping, you can also find a Time Square here among the many other malls.

Causeway Bay was once a small fishing village and the area is best known for its Tin Hau Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Tin Hau built by the fishermen.

Another cultural heritage is the age-old tradition of villain hitting at Ngo Keng Kiu, fun for both participants and spectators. If none of those strikes your fancy, there is Victoria Park, the largest public park in Hong Kong.

Suggested Hotels near Causeway Bay

Things to See in Causeway Bay

Shopping Malls – some of the top shopping malls in Hong Kong are in Causeway Bay, notably Hyson, Fashion Walk, Time Square, and the newly renovated Lee Tong AvenueNgo Keng Kiu – a phonetic translation of ‘gooseneck bridge’, this is where the tradition of villain hitting still takes place. The birthday and name of the villain is put on a piece of yellow paper in human shape and hit to appease the customer and bring the villain bad luck

Victoria Park – with over 190,000m2 of ground, Victoria Park was built on landfill to house the statue of Queen Victoria during the colonial times. Now, it is home to numerous sports facilities and houses the biggest lunar market yearly.

Tin Hau Temple – built in 1747 by the local fishermen, the temple is now nestled in a quite park area. Don’t miss the red incense burner that gives the area its name.

Hong Kong After Dark Tour – Sometimes you just want to go out late at night, but feel a little insecure doing it alone. So join the Hong Kong After Dark tour to visit the night markets, parks, neighbourhoods and Peninsula Hotel and the Chung King Mansion. Then top it off at one of Hong Kongs popular bars.

Getting There

Most of the attractions are clustered around the Causeway Bay MTR station, with numerous exits that will take you to the attraction of choice quickly. If you are coming from Central, a tram ride is a great way to see the city.

3. Tsim Sha Tsui – Best area to Stay in Hong Kong for First Timers

where to stay in hong kong neighbourhoods

Often refer to TST, Tsim Sha Tsui means the ‘pointy sand mouth’ which refers to its geographical position. An alternative to Central, Tsim Sha Tsui is most famous for its Clocktower and Star Ferry Pier where you can hop on the ferry to Central.

You can also find great shopping in the area as well as world-class hotels and restaurants, with the addition of tailors and museums thrown into the mix.

Tsim Sha Tsui is also home to many nationalities, with a big Indian and Nepalese population that congregates around the Chungking Mansion famed for its Indian food, cheap accommodation, and numerous money changers.

The largest mosque in Hong Kong is also located on the major thoroughfare Nathan Road, right next to one of the exits. Of course, Tsim Sha Tsui also has a park of its own. The Kowloon Park was built to replace the barracks and houses a swimming pool and small amphitheater.

Suggested Hotels near Tsim Sha Tsui

Things to see near Tsim Sha Tsui

hong kong neighborhoods places to stay

Star Ferry Pier and Clocktower – the clocktower is all that remains of the old Kowloon Train Station in the area and a prominent landmark in front of the pier. The Star Ferry is the transport of choice for many across the Victoria Harbor due to its iconic green and white exterior and affordability

Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Drinks – Seeing the Symphony of lights from the water is magical. This 1.5 hour cruise sails along the Hong Kong harbour while the spectacular symphony of lights display plays in front of you. Plus you get unlimited drinks!

Promenade and Avenue of Star – one of the best places to view Victoria Harbor, there is a promenade that extends from the Star Ferry Pier all the way to Hung Homg Rail Station. The Avenue of Star (similar to the one in LA) is currently located in a park along the way for those interested to see the handprint of famous stars such as Bruce Lee.

Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre – built at the end of the 19th century, the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre is the largest mosque in Hong Kong located on Nathan Road.

Chungking Mansion – if you need to exchange money or craving some Indian food, this is the place to go

Museums – with the Science Museum, Space Museum, and Hong Kong Museum of History, there’s something to do beyond visiting malls here. Admissions is free every Wednesday

Kowloon Park – a former barrack, Kowloon Park is home to a beautiful bird pool, garden, and a great public swimming pool.

Getting There

Tsim Sha Tsui MTR and West Rail station are well connected with exits conveniently leading to most attractions. It’s easy to get confused above ground for first-time visitors so going down the underground walkways and finding the right exit to emerge from is an easier way to get around. The area is also well connected by buses that goes to the rest of Hong Kong.

4. Mong Kok – Best Place to Stay for Foodies

hong kong neighborhood

The heart of Kowloon, Mong Kok in Chinese means a ‘popular corner’. Known for its crowded streets, it’s the place to be for those who love street food and local shops. I practically spent my entire childhood there, roaming the markets and streets where you can buy everything you need.

For shopping, it’s best to head to Ladies Market to sass out the latest trend, though I personally prefer the Argyle Center and Fa Yuen Street for the more affordable fashion. For something a bit different, there is the Flower Market, Gold Fish Market, and Bird Markets, it’s a colorful district that is best explored on foot.

The shopping in Mong Kok is less high end than Causeway Bay, and the area is often portrayed as the triad’s territories with mahjong places and massage parlors. Nowadays, it’s popular with the youngsters to try new street food or bubble tea places opening every week.

Suggested Hotels near Mong Kok

Things to See in Mong Kok

where to stay in hong kong districts

Ladies Market – the first government-sanctioned hawker street in Hong Kong, the Ladies market is named after the female-centric merchandise of its early days. Now you can find everything and anything here, most notable are the knock-offs of branded bags

Flower Market – started out as a wholesale flower market in the 70s, it had gained popularity for photographers and flower lovers. It’s also connected to the Birds Market

Birds Market – dedicated to the Song Bird tradition in Hong Kong, the birds market is a timeslice from the past featuring a dying hobby. This is the area of markets, why not book the Hong Kong Mong Kok Markets to immerse in the culture of one of Hong Kong’s most densely packed neighborhoods.

Argyle Center – a shopping and street food hotspot for all weather conditions, it’s a great place to glimpse the local life and buy cheap clothing

Getting There

Everything is walkable around Mong Kok, though if you are prone to getting lost, head back down to the MTR and find the corresponding exit of Mong Kok MTR Station. Be sure not to confuse it with the Mong Kong East Rast Rail Station. If you are traveling here from Tsim Sha Tsui, most buses will stop by Mong Kok as it goes up Nathan Road

5. Shatin – Where to Stay in Hong Kong for Families

hong kong accommodations

A satellite town built in the 70s, it’s a gateway to the rest of New Territories via bus or railway. With hidden temples and monasteries, most notably the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery only 20 minutes’ walk away and the Che Kung Temple.

It is also close to nature with mountains nearby, with many hikes that offer a great vista, such as the Needle Hill that extends east to the Shing Mun Reservoir. There is also the Shing Mun River which runs along the city with a cycling path, popular for rowers and cyclists.

Suggested Hotels near Shatin

  • Regal Hotel – Across the Shing Mun River from the Shatin Town Center, Regal Hotel has a full view of Shing Mun River.

Things to see in Shatin

places to stay in hong kong

Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery – despite not being a working monastery anymore, the monastery and the path that goes up are lined with over ten thousand golden Buddha statues, which is what gives the monastery its name

Shing Mun River – the river that flows right along the town, you can admire the river view from the park or rent a bike to cycle along it

Needle Hill hike – while not the easiest trek, Needle Hill ends right by the Shatin rail station. It is part of the MacLehose Trail stage 8, going past the Shing Mun Reservoir.

Che Kung Temple – the temple to be during Chinese New Year, Che Kung Temple is dedicated to the Song dynasty general Che Kung. Built in the late 17th century, it’s customary to spin the windmills for good fortune.

Great Buddha Walk and Skip the Line – Take the Nong Ping Cable Car to the Big Buddha where you skip the boarding queue and have a special ticket redemption line.

Lantau Island and Cable Car – This is a very cool tour and you must get out of downtown Hong Kong at least once. Visit the Tian Tan Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery. Then travel by boat to see Tai O, a quaint fishing village where the houses are built on stilts.

Getting There

Take the East Rail line to Shatin Station and everything is within a short walk. For Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery, head to the Shatin Transport Department and head up the walking path behind it. For Che Kung Temple, take the East Rail to Tai Wai, change to the Ma On Shan Line and ride one station to the Che Kung Temple Station.

Plan Your Hong Kong Trip

where to stay in hong kong

Most people in Hong Kong are accustomed to seeing tourists and speak a good level of English, and safety is never really a concern. It is a city that relies heavily on public transport to move its 8 million inhabitants around, so you don’t have to worry about how to get around. Here are some tips:

Hong Kong has its own currency, Hong Kong Dollars, at the exchange rate of  1USD = 7.847 HKD as of July 2018 – For up to date conversions get the XE Currency Converter App  Note: you can also use Hong Kong Dollars in Macau, although the exchange rate of Macau Dollars is lower

  • When to Visit Hong Kong – Hong Kong is a subtropical country by the coast, which means temperatures tends to be warm year-round, though we do suffer from typhoon between July to September.
    • The best time to visit is November and December when it’s less humid and hot.
    • The only time it gets cooler is between January and February, dropping to around 5 degrees Celcius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) at its lowest, but only for about a week.

Hong Kong Transportation – Getting Around

hong kong escalator
The World’s Longest Escalator in Hong Kong

Get an Octopus Card – the transport card in Hong Kong can be purchased for 50 hkd plus credits at any MTR (Mass Transport Rail) or Rail station. It can be used for all public transport options as well as a lot of shops. So top it up with 200 hkd and you can return it at the end of your trip. (Note: a fee of ~10 hkd is charged if you return within 3 months, there is also tourist Octopus available).

Get around Hong Kong on the Big Bus Hop on Hop off Tour 1-2 days for $77.66 includes ferries between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and fast track up the Peak Tram and Sky100

Download the MTR and KMB app – the former is an app used for navigating the MTR in Hong Kong, the latter shows to bus schedules in Kowloon and New Territories area.

Buy tickets online for convenience – if you are booking attractions, tickets might be cheaper and quicker to get online

Avoid rush hours if possible – the rush hours in Hong Kong starts from 7:30 – 9 and from 5:30 – 7:00 pm and it’s extremely crowded ion the MTR, especially around Admiralty. Avoid if possible.

Plan your shopping or street food visits after 11 am if not 12 noon. A lot of small, local own places don’t open until after 12 pm while malls tend to open around 10-11 am.

While I am partial to the city, I hope you agree that there is something for everyone in Hong Kong, no matter what kind of holiday you are looking for. Even as a local, I often find myself feeling in awe when I  watch the Victoria Harbor or along the streets of SoHo.

And I can’t resist going to Mong Kok at least once a week to get my fix of street food and roam the colourful Flower and Birds Market. If the weather isn’t hot, a hike up for exercise and a good view is a most, and the beach if it is too hot!

So start planning your trip to Hong Kong and get ready to be blown away!

where to stay in hong kong a guide to the best neighborhoods

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Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO. 

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About Nam Cheah

Nam Cheah is a third culture millennial spent half her life in Hong Kong and the other half in the UK. With a passion for travel, hikes, food, and puns, she documents her travel on her suitably named blog: Laugh, Travel, Eat. When she’s not doing any of that, she’s either catching up on TV while online shopping or writing her novels. See more on her website at LaughTravelEat

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11 thoughts on “Where to Stay in Hong Kong – A Local’s Guide to the Best Places and Accommodation”

  3. Photo are looking perfect..This post will help to First time Hong Kong viewers, They no need to worry about accommodations after read this article. Thanks for the share.

    Reply

  5. Firstly, love the design of your website. And your blog posts are wonderful. Love how you provide detailed information about the location, places to visit and stay. Amazing.

    Reply

  9. Hi Nam! I love how many different things there are to see in Hong Kong and all the different areas you can go. Having been to Hong Kong once before, I agree that you need at least a week to really be able to see how amazing it really is. The more time spent, the better! There are so many things to do there and can’t wait to go back! Thanks for the great article!

    Reply

  11. One neighborhood in HK that I absolutely love for the food and shopping is Sheung Wan. It’s absolutely fabulous to explore. Lots of little independent stores and Michelin starred restaurants!

    Reply
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